Valve job listing hints at hardware plans

GAMES COMPANY Valve could be working on games hardware, according to a job listing that has appeared on its website.

Rumours about the firm and hardware are not new, and Valve has denied them in the past. This job listing was first spotted by the Verge. Valve is looking for an industrial designer, and the listing has just about enough information in it to spark rumours again.

"As an Industrial Designer at Valve, you will join a world-class group of electrical, mechanical, software engineers and designers who are busily defining new entertainment experiences through both hardware and software," it says. "We're hoping to add your expertise in product design and manufacturing, ergonomics, usability, aesthetics, and surfacing to our team."

The job posting suggests that the firm is frustrated by the current state of hardware affairs and the existing PC or Mac options. While it could be referring to a new kind of mouse or joystick, it might also reflect a new direction from a firm that has been impressed by the reaction that the Ouya console received.

"Valve is traditionally a software company. Open platforms like the PC and Mac are important to us, as they enable us and our partners to have a robust and direct relationship with customers. We're frustrated by the lack of innovation in the computer hardware space though, so we're jumping in," it adds.

"Even basic input, the keyboard and mouse, haven't really changed in any meaningful way over the years. There's a real void in the marketplace, and opportunities to create compelling user experiences are being overlooked."

The last time that hardware rumours emerged was in April when a similar job posting said that the firm was "developing hardware" for "great gameplay experience". µ